A Rolex Vacation on a Timex Budget: Sept '11 PTR (TR is Live!)

[Kari-B]

Sounds like an awesome surprise!

 

[PrincessAmongPrinces]

That sounds so romantic! What a wonderful surprise!!

 

[natebenma]

Fantastic!!!

So that is the first night.

Which day/night is the Scotch arriving?

You SO have to do a report!!! I hope it is a full trip report, because this one has been so entertaining, but if it is just a dining report, I will just have to be satisfied with some impressive Food Porn.

 

[jenneth79]

Wow! I almost want get that for my DBF. He might think I'm crazy too though Sounds so romantic!!!

Sometimes it's good to be a bit crazy. I always look to John Cusack in "Say Anything", holding up that boombox..... yeah, crazy can be good.

What an awesome surprise! I have seen pics of the arrangement and it is going to be such a special moment for your DH

Look forward to seeing his reaction in your TR

I haven't seen pictures yet, I probably should have checked them out, but I figured it would be a bit of a surprise for myself as well!

Sounds like an awesome surprise!

That sounds so romantic! What a wonderful surprise!!

Thanks!!!

Fantastic!!!

So that is the first night.

Which day/night is the Scotch arriving?

You SO have to do a report!!! I hope it is a full trip report, because this one has been so entertaining, but if it is just a dining report, I will just have to be satisfied with some impressive Food Porn.

It is the first night, as well as the Scotch. We'll probably work the glass of 25 as a nightcap, though it kind of depends on when they allow us access to our room, as check in is at 3, but we'll be arriving much earlier. I would check in early to try and guarantee a room then, but I really want to try and get a king bed room if possible. Spending every night in a queen bed fighting for space between one hubby and two cats.....that makes me look forward to vacations!

I think I'm going to do a full TR -and- a Dining review. That way I can get a bit more detailed about the foodporn and still go on about all the crazy experiences we have and if all my plans fall apart (you know they will.....)

Thank you sooooo much as well, for saying this was entertaining! I have seriously slacked on this PTR in a lot of ways, but at least with the TR I will not be against a deadline so can take the time to make it good!

Back to the rainy day....we're getting more flooding today than we did with Irene here!!!

 

[jenneth79]

Though I'm not reviewing anything, just wanted to make sure it was there so I forced myself to actually work on it when we get back!

I'll probably post a few lists of must-try drinks and snacks as well over the next few days.... hope to see you all there!

They Should Make Margaritas a Snack Credit!

(can't believe I get to do the single digit dance tomorrow....woo hoo! - that doesn't count, it's a mini-pre-single digit banana dance)

 

[Nermel9]

Ooh, the florist surprise sounds awesome! I sometimes wish Brandon would surprise me with something from the Disney florist...I'm not sure if he even knows it exists, though.

I'm going to join your dining thread as soon as I'm finished here! And woo hoo, pre-single digits party!

 

[jenneth79]

Ooh, the florist surprise sounds awesome! I sometimes wish Brandon would surprise me with something from the Disney florist...I'm not sure if he even knows it exists, though.

I'm going to join your dining thread as soon as I'm finished here! And woo hoo, pre-single digits party!

I think Mike may be a little upset. He's already starting to catch on that I went overboard and perhaps there is a bit of panic on his part. I told him the fact that he agreed to go was gift enough this anniversary! (Though I'll admit, I might be holding out hope for a little charm to add to my Tiffany bracelet he got me as a wedding gift!)

Thanks for joining in on the Dining Review as well! I've got to post my must try snack and drink lists sometime before we leave!

 

[jenneth79]

I simply cannot believe it!!! We're actually at the 9 day mark today!!!





Though let's be honest, I'm really:



So I've made my last minute lists, and there are a few things left to do!

1. Pack (I guess I put it off the past couple of weeks.)
2. Get all our information together in a binder for the trip.
3. Mani / Pedi and Waxing Appts next week.
4. Get everything squared away with our pet sitter.
5. Survive the next week of work before vacation! ( the week before is always brutal because sales tries to get everything done before I leave....)

Hope everyone is having a great day! I'm floating for now here in soggy VA!

 

[TanzUnited99]

SINGLE DIGITS!!!! PARTY TIME!!!!



Only 9 days to go for you guys!!! Getting through that list will keep you going. Yep, I also hate having to finish work before a vacation and all the stress - luckily I do not have that issue this time round!

I see you started a dining report - going to read and sign up.

 

[jenbear123]

SINGLE DIGITS DANCE ​

So excited for you!!!! AND I can't wait to hear all about it when you get back. I'm already excited for the TR

 

[jenneth79]

It’s here, ladies and gentlemen, the day you’ve all been waiting for!

Ok, so the day Mike has been waiting for, at least. One of our “realizations” about this trip was that we’ll be able to experience for the first time the joy of drinking at Disney. Real adult beverages! Yay! The last time I was there, I had just turned 18, and Mike hasn’t been since he was a little kid. So while I was allowed to walk on to Pleasure Island, I couldn’t get into most of the clubs.

While doing my trip research, I came across the Party through the Parks website and started reading up on the “games” that many adults participate in. Neither Mike nor I wanted to do that, per se, but we liked the idea of taking a day to just wander through the World Showcase, sampling a drink at each Country. We’ll use this day to really spend some time in the pavilions, checking out the shops, rides, shows…. While our other Epcot days will focus more on the Future World side of things.

Since the World Showcase opens later than the rest of Epcot, we’ll probably take this opportunity to sleep in for once on this trip… I’m not going to even THINK about arriving at Epcot until 11 at least. I would love to have breakfast room service, just to really chill out, but I cannot bring myself to do that, knowing we have a fully stocked CL Lounge down the hall which I already paid for. We shall see. I may not even want to LOOK at food by this point in the trip.

There are a few drinks I simply must sample, though I suspect they will be on other Epcot days… I’ll probably stick to beer / wine for our World Drinking Day. (Seriously, I may need to have T-Shirts made up… “I Survived” or some such nonsense.) But this seems like as good as a place as any to share them….

First, the drink I keep on hearing about and absolutely MUST try (I may get one as soon as I walk into Epcot on our first day, is the Grey Goose Slushie in France! To prepare, I have been making flavored vodkas all summer (Strawberry, Blackberry, Thai Chili Peppers…) and using Grey Goose. This has driven my DH nuts because there is perfectly good cheaper vodka to use, but I have two pints of strawberries marinating in Grey Goose. Go big.

Another drink I’d like to try is the Mango Gingerita at the China Tea Stand. They say to try this drink if you really love ginger, and since I absolutely adore it, well, there you go! Besides, ginger is super good for you, so this drink is healthy too!

Then, I must try the Jalapeno Margarita in Mexico. When we travel to my family’s place in South Carolina, the bartender there makes this drink called the Kiawah Cactus. It was the first time I ever had muddled jalapenos in a drink. I fell in love with it immediately. It might be my favorite mixed, drink, actually.

For lunch this day we’re heading to Biergarten, which was always my mom’s favorite place to go when I was younger. I remember one time when I was about 6 or so we ended up sitting next to an older German couple who were super sweet and told us all about how Epcot stacked up to Munich. That’s one of my favorite things about the parks…. Just meeting people from all over the world who have the same love for the mouse!

Dinner this evening will be at the Rose and Crown pub, where I will probably have to try Scotch Eggs. Mike, who is Scottish, told me these are the best things ever. To me, it sounds gross. I promised him I would try, though….we’ll see. Then, while not one of the planned surprises, we have a little bit of pixie dust afterwards, I think! The planner I had been working with on my failed private event set us up with VIP viewing outside of the UK for Illuminations this night. I have no idea how this works, or if it’s really happening, but we shall see!

Either way, Epcot is having EMH this day, so they will be open until 12! Any bets if we’ll make it that long? And can you believe that tomorrow, Saturday, will be our last full day in the parks? So sad! There’s one more park we haven’t visited yet, though!....

 

[Nermel9]

Yay, single digits finally!!!! Seems like I'll never be doing the single digit dance, I'm so far behind!

Your Day 7 plans sound great! Drinking around the world (or attempting to, since I always fail miserably!) is fun, the slushies in France are so good! I've always been curious about the jalapeno margarita, but I'm not sure if I' brave enough for it!

 

[natebenma]

Another drink I’d like to try is the Mango Gingerita at the China Tea Stand. They say to try this drink if you really love ginger, and since I absolutely adore it, well, there you go! Besides, ginger is super good for you, so this drink is healthy too!

OK, this is one that I can't wait to hear about and see!

Love Mango! Love Ginger! Hello!!!

Posting this has just caused a question to pop into my head. Do you know who Stacy is? The Disney Must-Do chick? We will have to fill you in if you are not familiar with her.

 

[TanzUnited99]

Great day 7 plans! Hope you enjoy the drinks and seeing Epcot in a different light afterwards!

Can't believe you are almost on your last day - oh well only 8 days until you get to experience it all!

 

[Kari-B]

Getting so close!!!

 

[jenneth79]

Yay, single digits finally!!!! Seems like I'll never be doing the single digit dance, I'm so far behind!

Your Day 7 plans sound great! Drinking around the world (or attempting to, since I always fail miserably!) is fun, the slushies in France are so good! I've always been curious about the jalapeno margarita, but I'm not sure if I' brave enough for it!

I can't even begin to tell you how quickly the last month flew by... trust me, we'll be dancing for your own single digits before you know it!

I've heard the jalapeno margarita isn't too bad, just a nice warmth on the finish. We'll see.... I'll have to get a dole whip and take it with me, just in case I need to cut the heat

OK, this is one that I can't wait to hear about and see!

Love Mango! Love Ginger! Hello!!!

Posting this has just caused a question to pop into my head. Do you know who Stacy is? The Disney Must-Do chick? We will have to fill you in if you are not familiar with her.

I do not know who Stacy is... please, do tell!

Great day 7 plans! Hope you enjoy the drinks and seeing Epcot in a different light afterwards!

Can't believe you are almost on your last day - oh well only 8 days until you get to experience it all!

I know..... yaaaaaay! Sorry, just a little bit giddy/scared today. Too much to do with only 5 days to go!

Getting so close!!!

I know, soooo excited!

 

[jenneth79]

Ok, 5 days to go and I've entered into panic mode!

I feel like I have no time to get all the stuff done I need to before we head out! Do you ever feel that you need to take a few days of vacation before your vacation just so you can breathe before jumping on the plane? Agh!

I found out last night that there is just no way to get away with two suitcases and had to add a third for shoes, etc. On the upside, I'll now be able to bring back a souvenir or two, but on the downside, that bag is gonna cost me 35 dollars! I swear, flying has become such a pain in the pocketbook!

I'm hoping nothing crazy comes up at work this week, and I'm seriously debating not telling sales I'm out on vacation until Friday. They have a nasty habit of flipping out and throwing all sorts of stuff on my plate like I'm going away for three months, not just a week.

On the super positive side, I HAVE LESS THAN A WEEK BEFORE I AM AT DISNEY!

If I can stop freaking out.

 

[TanzUnited99]

Lol don't panic! Am sure you will get everything done girl! Just breathe, relax and take a break - even if it's for a few minutes. It helped me when I started panicking and once you have the lists made it is so much easier to see what needs doing and what is done. Lol, can't believe I'm giving advice on being calm!

Oh no on the cost of the extra bag but like you said it means extra space for all them souveniers!

Have a GREAT TRIP and look forward to meeting up at Disney - am going to reply to your PM in the next few minutes

 

[jenbear123]

DON'T PANIC! Maybe you need a copy of hitchhiker's guide to the galaxy? I love how you justify an alcoholic drink as healthy But that only gives you more of a good reason to get one right? I hope you try a Grey Goose slushy. They are fantastic. Expensive... but fantastic. Travelling has become exceedingly expensive, especially those darn airlines. I always want a vacation before/after my vacation so don't feel bad!

 

[PixieMama]

I'm back, I'm here, and I'm all caught up. Whew!

Your trip is soooo close! Don't panic... everything will get done and you'll be off on your magical vacation!